Easel with support structure

ABSTRACT

One embodiment of the present invention provides an easel for holding an article that includes a plurality of support members. Each of the support members has a proximal end, a distal end and a central portion. The easel also includes an elongated post member. The post member includes a top end, a bottom end, and a guide surface. The post member is defined generally by an axis, and the post member is pivotally coupled to each of the support members adjacent the proximal end. The easel further includes a first linkage member having a first post end, a first support end, and a first middle portion. The first post end is pivotally coupled to one of the support members. Additionally, the easel includes a lower support selectively coupled to at least one of the central portions. The lower support selectively supports a lower portion of the article.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to easels for display andsupport and more specifically to a reinforcing structure for collapsibleeasels.

BACKGROUND

There are many applications where a collapsible easel for display of anarticle is desired. Typical easels include an arrangement of spacedapart legs. In some easels, the legs of the easel include telescopedtubes or foldable struts that are extendable linearly to a predeterminedheight. A display support platform is generally supported by the easel.The display platform is generally movable, and in some instances may beremovable.

One known prior art easel having a board support includes a plurality oflegs. The legs are generally pivotally connected together. Each legincludes multiple interlocked sections that are biased together when inan assembled position, but may be selectively manipulated for separationand folding into a bundle with one section against another. A boardsupport is mounted on two legs, but may be selectively moved to adesired position on any of the interlocking sections. Each board supportis relatively small with a general C-shape configuration. The boardsupports are pivotally mounted, such that they are pivotal between twopositions, one where it is folded against the leg on which it is mountedand one where it is folded away from the leg. The board supports serveto hold a small section of a canvas or other item when folded away fromthe leg.

While portable, known art easels as described above have disadvantages.For example, the legs and the board supports are unstable and notsuitable for holding heavy boards or paintings. Moreover, because theboard supports are so small, height adjustment is limited by the widthof the article being displayed.

Another known prior art easel includes two front support legs having anupper end connected to a selectively movable retaining mechanism. Asingle support brace that is selectively movable, extends laterally toconnect the two front support legs together. A rear support leg ishingedly connected to a separate upper plate that is frictionallyengaged with a central member. Rear support braces have a first endpivotally connected to a portion of the rear support leg and a secondend pivotally connected to a fixed location on a portion of the centralmember. A board support is removably mounted to a front portion of thecentral member.

While prior easels of this type are collapsible and relativelylightweight, they are difficult to set up into an operative positionthat is stable. For example, the front support legs and the rear supportlegs must be separately adjusted until the easel is balanced due to theseparate connection of the support braces and support legs.Additionally, these prior art easels may include clamping mechanismsthat must be secured in order to set up the easel into a stableconfiguration. Accordingly, more time is required to insure an operativeset up of the easel. Moreover, experimentation is required to properlybalance the easel among the support legs.

Therefore, there exists a need for a collapsible easel that is easy toset up, but provides increased stability over prior art easels.

SUMMARY

One embodiment of the present invention provides an easel for holding anarticle that includes a plurality of support members. Each of thesupport members has a proximal end, a distal end and a central portion.The easel also includes an elongated post member. The post memberincludes a top end, a bottom end, and a guide surface. The post memberis defined generally by an axis, and the post member is pivotallycoupled to each of the support members adjacent the proximal end. Theeasel further includes a first linkage member having a first post end, afirst support end, and a first middle portion. The first post end ispivotally coupled to one of the support members. Additionally, the easelincludes a lower support selectively coupled to at least one of thecentral portions. The lower support selectively supports a lower portionof the article. At least a portion of the proximal end is selectivelyguided relative to at least a portion of the post end.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described, by way of example, withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an easel according to an embodiment ofthe present invention, with a top support rotated 90° for clarity.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the easel of FIG. 1, illustrating theeasel in a partially stowed position, again with the top support rotated90° for clarity.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the easel of FIG. 2, identifiedgenerally as area 3 of FIG. 2, illustrating a portion of a guide memberreinforcing system.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a guide member of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the guide member of FIG. 4 taken alongline 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the guide member of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an easel 20 is illustrated. Easel 20includes a post member 22, a plurality of telescopic support members 24,a guide member 26 slideably coupled to the post member 22, a pluralityof linkage members 28, a central connector 30, and a lower support 32.The post member 22 generally defines an axis A-A and includes an outerguide surface 36 having a stop member groove 38 formed therein, and atop support member 40 interposed therein and extendable therefrom.

The support members 24 are each defined by a first portion 42 having aproximal end 44, a second portion 46 having a distal end 48, and atelescopic guide 50. Each linkage member 28 includes a post end 54, asupport end 56, and a middle portion 58.

As best seen in FIG. 3, each telescopic guide 50 includes a tubular body60 having a linkage member support 62, a guide clasp 64 rotatablysupported to the tubular body 60 via a clasp pin 66, a first portionopening 68, and a second portion opening 70. In operation, as discussedin greater detail below, guide clasp 64 is rotated away from tubularbody 60 in order to allow second portion 46 to translate relative to thefirst portion 42. When first portion 42 and second portion 46 are in adesired relative position, guide clasp 64 may then be rotated via clasppin 66 to the locked position (FIG. 3).

Each telescopic guide 50 is pivotally supported to a linkage member 28via a linkage pin 80 that is inserted into linkage member support 62.The guide member 26 pivotally connects each linkage member 28 via alinkage pin 82 with the post member 22. Each linkage member 28interconnects the guide member 26 with a support member 24.

Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 2, the central connector 30 includes acentral support 88 connected to the post member 22, a top supportaperture 90, and a plurality of first portion connectors 92. The firstportion connectors 92 are each pivotally connected to central connector30 thereby permitting each support member 24 to rotate relative to axisA-A (FIG. 2). The top support member 40 extends through the top supportaperture 90 and into post member 22 in telescopic fashion, as discussedin greater detail below. The first portion connectors 92 of centralconnector 30 are each connected to one of the support members 24 at theproximal end 44.

The top support member 40 may include a top support 94 for restrainingan article. The top support member 40 is extendable from a stowedposition to an extended position (FIG. 1). An intermediate position,between the stowed position and the extended position is illustrated inFIG. 2. In the stowed position, telescopic guides 50 are in closeproximity and may be touching, while support members are retracted suchthat second portions 46 (and other portions if present) are stowedwithin first portions 42, and top support member 40 is retracted withinpost member 22.

Preferably, post member 22 may also include a stop member 96 positionedat least partially within the stop member groove 38. Stop member 96provides a lower stop for guide member 26, and also provides a cushionedsurface for linkage members 28 to contact when easel 20 is folded intothe stowed position. In one embodiment, the stop member 96 is an o-ring,although the stop member 96 may be multiple portions or a single piecethat is molded onto post member 22.

Lower support 32 is illustrated to include an angle 110 and a pair oflower support adjusters 112. Angle 110 may include a hook 116, aselectively rotatable brush holder 118 attached thereto, and/or one ormore mounting apertures 120. The lower support adjusters 112 are tubularmembers that slideably translate on the outer surface of first portions42. The lower support adjusters 112 include a clasp 126 that is similarto guide clasp 64, and a lower support engaging protrusion 130. Brushholder 118 may be extended (FIG. 1)

As illustrated, each lower support engaging protrusion 130 is insertedthrough a mounting aperture 120 in lower support 32 to releasably attachangle 110 to easel 20. While lower support 32 is illustrated asincluding a hook 116 and brush holder 118, other useful articles may beincorporated into the lower support. As will be appreciated, top support94 may restrain the uppermost surface of a generally rectangulararticle, and angle 110 may support the lowermost surface of the article.

With reference to FIGS. 4-6, the guide member 26 is illustrated ingreater detail. Guide member 26 includes a generally annular body 140,defined, at least in part, by an inner surface 142, a top surface 144, agenerally conical outer surface, 146, and a lower surface 148 with aplurality of linkage member connectors 150 extending therefrom. As bestseen in FIG. 5, linkage member connectors 150 each have a linkage pinaperture 152 formed therein to accommodate a linkage pin 82.

As best seen in FIG. 3, inner surface 142 of guide member 46 slidesalong guide surface 36 as guide member 26 translates generally parallelto axis A-A on post member 22.

When in the fully extended position (FIG. 1), linkage members 28 aregenerally horizontal and post member 22 is generally vertical. Thisconfiguration has been found to provide a stable, relatively rigidsupport for large articles while minimizing the weight of easel 20.

As guide member 26 translates on post member 22 toward central connector30 (FIG. 2), distal ends 48 of support members 24 converge generally toa point defined by axis A-A. When guide member 26 is translated on postmember 22 to a maximum extent toward central connector 30, linkagemembers 28 contact stop member 96, and easel 20 is in at least apartially stowed position.

Telescopic guide 50 releasably interconnects the first portion 42 ofsupport member 24 with the second portion 46. When height adjustment ofthe easel 20 is desired, telescopic guides 50 may be unlatched, allowingfirst portions 42 to move axially relative to second portions 46. Whenthe desired height is attained, the telescopic guides 50 may thelatched, thereby releasably affixing first portion 42 to second portion46. The support members 24 may each have one more than one telescopicguide 50 that, for example, interconnects the second portion 46 to athird portion (not shown).

Once the support members 24 of the easel 20 has been fully extended tothe position illustrated in FIG. 1, the lower support adjusters 112 maybe vertically positioned on first portions 42 to desired positions andsecured via clasp 126. Then lower support engaging protrusions 130 maybe aligned with mounting apertures 120 and inserted therein.

Top support 94 may be vertically adjusted to support or restrain aportion of the article by telescopically moving top support member 40along axis A-A relative to post member 22. A knob screw may be threadedthrough an aperture in central support 88 and tightened until the knobscrew contacts top support member 40 to restrain top support member 40and post member 22 in a desired relative position.

In one embodiment, lower support engaging protrusions 130 are screwsthat are each threaded into one lower support adjuster 112. In thismanner, the heads of the screws will interfere with the uppermostportions of angle 110 that define the mounting apertures 120.Additionally, the screws may be tightened to further secure the angle110 to the support members 24.

If it is desired to change the vertical position of lower support 32,angle 110 is released from the lower support engaging protrusions 130,and lower support adjusters 112 are moved to the desired locations.Angle 110 may then be reattached to the lower support adjusters 112, asdescribed above.

While the invention has been described with respect to specific examplesincluding preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those skilledin the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations andpermutations of the above described systems and techniques that fallwithin the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in theappended claims.

1. An easel for holding an article, comprising: a plurality of supportmembers, wherein each of said support members has a proximal end, adistal end and a central portion; an elongated post member having a topend, a bottom end, and a guide surface, wherein said post member isdefined generally by an axis, wherein said post member is pivotallycoupled to each of said support members adjacent said proximal end, andwherein at least a portion of said proximal end is selectively guidedrelative to at least a portion of said post end; a first linkage memberhaving a first post end, a first support end, and a first middleportion, wherein said first post end is pivotally coupled to one of saidsupport members; and a lower support selectively coupled to at least oneof said support members, wherein said lower support selectively supportsa lower portion of the article.
 2. The easel of claim 1, furthercomprising a guide member in selective pivotal connection with saidfirst post end and selectively guided by said guide surface such thatsaid guide member translates in a direction generally parallel to theaxis.
 3. The easel of claim 1, wherein said post member slideablytranslates in a direction generally parallel to the axis.
 4. The easelof claim 1, wherein said guide surface is generally cylindrical.
 5. Theeasel of claim 1, wherein said first post end is slideably coupled tosaid guide surface.
 6. The easel of claim 1, further comprising a secondlinkage member having a second post end, a second support end, and asecond middle portion, wherein said second support end is pivotallycoupled to said support member.
 7. The easel of claim 1, furthercomprising: a second linkage member having a second post end, a secondsupport end, and a second middle portion, wherein said second post endis pivotally coupled to said support member; and a guide member inselective pivotal connection with each of said first post end and saidsecond post end and selectively guided by said guide surface such thatsaid guide member translates in a direction generally parallel to theaxis.
 8. The easel of claim 1, further comprising a top support coupledto said post member for supporting the article.
 9. The easel of claim 1,wherein said post member further comprises a telescoping top supportmember.
 10. The easel of claim 1, wherein said support members areselectively adjustable for a range of desired lengths between saidproximal end and said distal end.
 11. The easel of claim 1, wherein saidproximal ends are pivotally fixed to said post member and do nottranslate along said axis.
 12. The easel of claim 1, further comprisinga lower support adjustment guide interconnecting said lower support withat least one of said support members, wherein said lower supportadjustment guide is selectively positioned along a preselected portionof said at least one support member.
 13. The easel of claim 1, whereinsaid support members are maintained at generally identical angles fromaxis as said guide member translates relative to said guide surface. 14.The easel of claim 1, further comprising a stop member coupled to saidpost member.
 15. An easel for holding an article, comprising: aplurality of support members, wherein each of said support members has aproximal end, a distal end and a central portion; an elongated postmember having a top end, a bottom end, and a guide surface, wherein saidpost member is defined generally by an axis, and wherein said postmember is pivotally coupled to each of said support members adjacentsaid proximal end; a guide member selectively guided by said guidesurface such that said guide member translates in a direction generallyparallel to the axis, a plurality of linkage members each having a postend, a support end, and a middle portion, wherein each of said supportends is in selective pivotal connection with at least one of saidsupport members, and each of said post ends is in selective pivotalconnection with said guide member; and a lower support selectivelycoupled to at least one of said central portions, wherein said lowersupport selectively supports a lower portion of the article.
 16. Theeasel of claim 15, wherein at least a portion of said proximal end isselectively guided relative to at least a portion of said post end. 17.The easel of claim 15, wherein said linkage members are of about thesame length.
 18. The easel of claim 15, wherein said post member furthercomprises a telescoping top support member for supporting the article.19. The easel of claim 15, wherein said support members are selectivelyadjustable for a range of desired lengths between said proximal end andsaid distal end.
 20. The easel of claim 15, wherein said support membersare maintained at generally identical angles from the axis as said guidemember translates relative to said guide surface.
 21. The easel of claim15, further comprising a stop member coupled to said post member.